Eight species of bears are found in this world
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About Bears
Bears are mammals of the family Ursidae with eight species. Bears are classified as caniforms, or doglike carnivores, with the pinnipeds being their closest living relatives. Common characteristics of modern bears include a large body with stocky legs, a long snout, shaggy hair, plantigrade paws with five nonretractile claws, and a short tail. While the Polar Bear is mostly carnivorous and the Giant Panda feeds almost entirely on bamboo, the remaining six species are omnivorous, with largely varied diets including both plants and animals.
With the exceptions of courting individuals and mothers with their young, bears are typically solitary animals. They are sometimes diurnal, but are usually active during the night (nocturnal) or twilight (crepuscular). Bears are aided by an excellent sense of smell, and despite their heavy build and awkward gait, they can run quickly and are adept climbers and swimmers. In autumn some bear species forage large amounts of fermented fruits which affects their behaviour. Bears use shelters such as caves and burrows as their dens, which are occupied by most species during the winter for a long period of sleep similar to hibernation.
Bears have been hunted since prehistoric times for their meat and fur. To this day, they play a prominent role in the arts, mythology, and other cultural aspects of various human societies. In modern times, the bear's existence has been pressured through the encroachment of their habitats and the illegal trade of bears and bear parts, including the Asian bile bear market. The IUCN lists six bear species as vulnerable or endangered and even "least concern" species such as the Brown Bear are at risk of extirpation in certain countries. The poaching and international trade of these most threatened populations is prohibited, but still ongoing.
Wherever the eight species of bears are found they occupy a special place in human culture. Throughout the world, people see bears as having human-like characteristics. Bears walk for short distances on their hind legs, planting their feet flat on the ground.
In temperate and arctic portion of the northern hemisphere, most bear species hibernate when food isn’t readily available. Bears are found from the high arctic (Polar Bear) to lowland tropical forest (Sun Bears). Today bears exist on all continents except Australia, Antarctica, and Africa. There are significantly more bears in the northern than in the southern hemisphere. The Spectacled Bear of South America is the only bear found predominantly in the southern hemisphere.
Some bear species are occasionally dangerous to people. These include the Brown Bear and Polar Bear. Other species, such as the American and Asiatic Black Bear, and the Sloth Bear will more rarely attack people. All other bear species have the strength to inflict serious injury to people, but they seldom do. The potential danger of bears to people has led to human emotions ranging from fear and hatred, to respect and admiration.
Bears are reproductively conservative. As mentioned, they have few young and the female looks after the young carefully. Because of low reproductive rates, bear populations recover slowly, if at all, from mortality rates that exceeds recruitment. Most bear populations outside of North America (and some there) are in serious decline. People with firearms can readily kill bears. The bulldozer and the chainsaw remove their habitat. But bear hunting can be managed to maintain biodiversity, some bear population can be fully protected, and habitat both outside and inside reserves can be managed for bears, other wildlife, and people. The support of many people, locally, nationally and internationally will be required to achieve the goal of bear and nature conservation.
With the exceptions of courting individuals and mothers with their young, bears are typically solitary animals. They are sometimes diurnal, but are usually active during the night (nocturnal) or twilight (crepuscular). Bears are aided by an excellent sense of smell, and despite their heavy build and awkward gait, they can run quickly and are adept climbers and swimmers. In autumn some bear species forage large amounts of fermented fruits which affects their behaviour. Bears use shelters such as caves and burrows as their dens, which are occupied by most species during the winter for a long period of sleep similar to hibernation.
Bears have been hunted since prehistoric times for their meat and fur. To this day, they play a prominent role in the arts, mythology, and other cultural aspects of various human societies. In modern times, the bear's existence has been pressured through the encroachment of their habitats and the illegal trade of bears and bear parts, including the Asian bile bear market. The IUCN lists six bear species as vulnerable or endangered and even "least concern" species such as the Brown Bear are at risk of extirpation in certain countries. The poaching and international trade of these most threatened populations is prohibited, but still ongoing.
Wherever the eight species of bears are found they occupy a special place in human culture. Throughout the world, people see bears as having human-like characteristics. Bears walk for short distances on their hind legs, planting their feet flat on the ground.
In temperate and arctic portion of the northern hemisphere, most bear species hibernate when food isn’t readily available. Bears are found from the high arctic (Polar Bear) to lowland tropical forest (Sun Bears). Today bears exist on all continents except Australia, Antarctica, and Africa. There are significantly more bears in the northern than in the southern hemisphere. The Spectacled Bear of South America is the only bear found predominantly in the southern hemisphere.
Some bear species are occasionally dangerous to people. These include the Brown Bear and Polar Bear. Other species, such as the American and Asiatic Black Bear, and the Sloth Bear will more rarely attack people. All other bear species have the strength to inflict serious injury to people, but they seldom do. The potential danger of bears to people has led to human emotions ranging from fear and hatred, to respect and admiration.
Bears are reproductively conservative. As mentioned, they have few young and the female looks after the young carefully. Because of low reproductive rates, bear populations recover slowly, if at all, from mortality rates that exceeds recruitment. Most bear populations outside of North America (and some there) are in serious decline. People with firearms can readily kill bears. The bulldozer and the chainsaw remove their habitat. But bear hunting can be managed to maintain biodiversity, some bear population can be fully protected, and habitat both outside and inside reserves can be managed for bears, other wildlife, and people. The support of many people, locally, nationally and internationally will be required to achieve the goal of bear and nature conservation.
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